Abstract: A connector apparatus for connecting at least two electronic component substrates, e.g., printed circuit boards or flex circuits, to one another at the edges thereof, wherein each of the at least two substrates further comprises at least one electrically conductive contact surface, and wherein the connector apparatus further includes: at least one electrically conductive transverse conducting member, wherein a first portion of the at least one transverse conducting member physically touches the contact surface on the first substrate, and wherein a second portion of the transverse conducting member physically touches the contact surface on the second substrate; and mechanical means for securing the at least one transverse conducting member to each of the substrates and to each of the contact surfaces.

Abstract: A connector apparatus for connecting at least two electronic component substrates, e.g., printed circuit boards or flex circuits, to one another at the edges thereof, wherein each of the at least two substrates further comprises at least one electrically conductive contact surface, and wherein the connector apparatus further includes: at least one electrically conductive transverse conducting member, wherein a first portion of the at least one transverse conducting member physically touches the contact surface on the first substrate, and wherein a second portion of the transverse conducting member physically touches the contact surface on the second substrate; and mechanical means for securing the at least one transverse conducting member to each of the substrates and to each of the contact surfaces.

Abstract: A system for connecting electrical devices to one another is provided. This system includes a horizontal or non-horizontal substrate and an anchor connected to or formed integrally with the substrate. The anchor is either a raised structure or a recessed structure, and further includes at least one retention member formed integrally with the anchor. At least one electronic component is mounted within the anchor and the at least one retention member secures the component to the substrate. At least one electrical trace is disposed on the substrate and the at least one electrical trace extends into the anchor, contacts the at least one electronic component, and forms an electrical connection between the substrate and the at least one electronic component.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic connector is provided having a housing with a rear end configured to receive a cable. A socket is provided on the front end of the housing and extends forwardly therefrom. The socket includes a shroud and a socket tongue formed on the housing and defining a pocket opening onto a front face of the socket. The shroud and socket tongue are configured to mate with another hermaphroditic connector having a similar shape. The socket includes at least one blocking member in the opening in the front face to interfere with foreign objects that may inadvertently come into contact with the enclosed conductive member. The blocking member may include ribs and/or beveled corner inserts provided in the pocket and extending at least partially along the length of the socket. A contact is held within the pocket and is configured to join a power, signal or ground cable.

Abstract: A hermaphroditic connector is provided having a housing with a rear end configured to receive a cable. A socket is provided on the front end of the housing and extends forwardly therefrom. The socket includes a shroud and a socket tongue formed on the housing and defining a pocket opening onto a front face of the socket. The shroud and socket tongue are configured to mate with another hermaphroditic connector having a similar shape. The socket includes at least one blocking member in the opening in the front face to interfere with foreign objects that may inadvertently come into contact with the enclosed conductive member. The blocking member may include ribs and/or beveled corner inserts provided in the pocket and extending at least partially along the length of the socket. A contact is held within the pocket and is configured to join a power, signal or ground cable.

Abstract: Agricultural implement to be conveyed by a self propelled vehicle includes a structural frame and a substructure moveable between a raised position and a lowered position. The substructure has at least one ground engaging tool supported thereon so as to engage the ground when the substructure is moved to the lowered position. A fluid circuit is provided to control engagement of the tool with the ground. The fluid circuit includes a first check valve having a first side connectable to a source of pressurized fluid flow and a second side connected to a fluid cylinder. The fluid cylinder is operated between a retracted position and an extended position to move the substructure between the raised position and the lowered position, respectively. A second check valve is provided having a first side connected to drain and a second side connected to the fluid cylinder. A sensor assembly opens the second check valve when pressurized fluid flow is received by the first side of the first check valve.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a conductive shell with electrical terminals, an insulator, conductive switch contacts, and an electrical circuit element constructed to engage the shell and the switch contact. The shell and the insulator interlock for ease of assembly.

Abstract: A power distribution system includes a power outlet for connection to different power supply circuits in a power block when assembled thereto. The system includes a power block having arrays of openings on the front and back faces which are vertically staggered.

Abstract: An electrical connector (19) for mounting against a circuit board (13) comprises, an insulative strip (20), conductive sockets (21) in the strip (20), solder tabs (35) projecting from the sockets (21) and outwardly from a corresponding edge (29) of the strip (20), a bottom of the strip (20) serving as a first mounting surface for engagement against the circuit board (13), and the solder tabs (35) being adapted for being bent, first, in a direction toward the bottom of the strip, and then, to extend outwardly from the edge (29) at nearly the same level with the bottom, and the top (23) of the strip (20) serving as a second, alternative mounting surface for engagement with the circuit board (13).

Abstract: An electrical connector 1 comprises, an insulative housing 2, a conductive shell 3 having electrical terminals 4, an insulator 5, conductive switch contacts 7, 8, an electrical circuit element 9 constructed to engage the shell 3 and the switch contact 8, and a conductive clip 10 is constructed to engage additional electrical circuit elements 11, and the housing 2, the shell 3 and the insulator 5 interlock for ease of assembly.

Abstract: A power distribution system for prewiring a modular wall panel unit with electrical conductors. The system is installed in the wiring channel that extends along the bottom edge of the panel unit. The system includes a power block located at each of the opposite ends of the panel wiring channel. Each power block comprises a housing containing ten flat, vertically aligned bus bars that are each connected to a separate one of four line, four neutral, a safety ground and an isolated ground conductors of the power supply of the site at which the panel unit is installed. Each power block is capable of receiving, at the end thereof adjacent the end of the wiring channel, on either or both faces thereof, a connector for a jumper cable for connecting two similar power distribution systems in adjoining panel units.

Abstract: An electrical cable assembly comprises, an insulative housing block (8) having a contact receiving side (15), a series of wire receiving channels (11) in the housing block (8), electrical contacts (9) on the housing block (8) being intercepted by alternate channels (11), another row of electrical contacts (9) separate from the housing block (8) being held along the contact receiving side (15), and being intercepted by alternate channels (11), and a cut (20) in an electrical cable (2) to offset cable wires (4) aligned by the channels (11).

Abstract: An electrical connector (10) includes a plurality of terminal members (12) and means for securing the body portions (14) of the terminal members (12) together to form a stacked array. Each terminal member (12) includes a body portion having a first contact section (24) adapted to electrically engage a first electrical article (40) and a second contact section (34) adapted to engage a second electrical article (44). Each terminal member (12) further includes integral spacing means for spacing respective body portions (14) of adjacent terminal members from each other. Upon electrically engaging respective first and second contact sections (24, 34) of the plurality of terminal members (12) with corresponding first and second electrical articles (40, 44), the terminal members (12) provide a plurality of paths for current flow between the first and second electrical articles (40, 44).

Abstract: A self-supporting contact for engaging a conductor combined with guard means for protecting both the contact and the conductor against accidental touch by a human hand. The contact is stamped from a flat strip of resilient, conductive material and has a rectangular body with a plurality, preferably four, spaced along and extending in parallel from one edge of the contact body. Each of the contact fingers is formed with a spring arch located near the end of the finger attached to the contact body. The apices of arches of the fingers are alternately directed above and below the plane of the contact body and the spring arches tension each of the contact fingers so as to bias the free ends of the fingers toward the plane of the contact body. The guard means for the contact comprises an insulating housing enclosing the contact body with portions of each of the contact fingers projecting to the exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A device (36) capable of functioning both as a latch and a hinge is disclosed. The device (36) includes a latch section (16) mounted on the housing (12) of an enclosure (10) and includes a groove (88) and a movable latch member (40) extending over the groove (88). The device (36) further includes a hinge section (30) mounted on the cover (14) and includes a rod (32) which is received in the groove (88) and rotatably retained therein by the latch member (40).

Abstract: An outlet unit for installation in a power distribution system for modular wall panel units carrying four separate pairs of line and neutral conductors. The outlet unit includes a pair of line and neutral contacts, configured to receive two separate plugs for power cords, the line and neutral contacts of the unit being connected to respective first and second contacts that project through the rear face of the outlet unit. The four pairs of line and neutral conductors of the distribution system are contained in an insulating power block housing having openings aligned with each of the conductors therein to provide access to the conductors by the first and second contacts of the outlet unit. The openings of the housing of the distribution system are arranged in two symmetrical groups. The outlet unit has four insulating silos positioned on its rear face so as to enter openings of either the first group or the second group, depending on the orientation of the outlet unit when plugged into the outlet unit.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes modules which intermate to interconnect electrical circuits between mother and daughter printed circuit boards. The modules are provided with resilient projections which latch on relative rotation of the modules, enabling the handling of resultant modular assemblies. High current carrying terminals of the modules have contact posts of different spacings and lengths from a contact point to assure equal resistivity to avoid hot spots for high current. A polarizing key locking feature is provided by a snap ring including a slot to permit engagement and disengagement by a simple tool such as a screwdriver.

Abstract: A flexible power distribution system comprises a modular electrical connector assembly (10) has complete plug-in connections between a power supply and a "mother" board (12) or backplane which carries a plurality of "daughter" PC boards (13). The system includes a male contact member (30) in a receptacle (15) adapted to be received within a female contact member (45) in a plug (14), when the plug (14) is slidably inserted into the receptacle (15). Respective guard means are provided to prevent one's finger from being inserted into either the plug (14) or receptacle (15), respectively, to contact the female and male contact members therein; and the respective guard means mesh therebetween when plug (14) is inserted into receptacle (15).

Abstract: A modular connector assembly for the distribution of power to printed circuit board comprising first and second pairs of matable individual connector modules having different power carrying characteristics. A first connector module of each pair has a pluggable mating face located transversely of a board engaging face and a second connector module of each pair has a complimentary pluggable mating face located opposite the board engaging face, board engaging faces having the same common dimensions. Individual modules of respective pairs are provided with latch members engageable by relative rotation of adjoining modules, to link and interlock them together to form a composite connector body mounted in a row along one edge of a daughter board, and when additional matable modules are mounted along the face of a mother board respectively, the matable modules of respected pairs are in corresponding positions, whereby the daughter board can simply be plugged to and unplugged from the mother board.

Abstract: A connector assembly includes modules which intermate to interconnect electrical circuits between mother and daughter printed circuit boards. The modules are provided with resilient projections which latch on relative rotation of the modules, enabling the handling of resultant modular assemblies. High current carrying terminals of the modules have contact posts of different spacings and lengths from a contact point to assure equal resistivity to avoid hot spots for high current. A polarizing key locking feature is provided by a snap ring including a slot to permit engagement and disengagement by a simple tool such as a screwdriver.